On the Feb. 8 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, Daniel Bryan officially retired from in-ring competition at the age of 34 due to a series of concussions.
The former WWE champion made his television return last month to become the general manager of Smackdown Live and a commentator of the Cruiserweight Classic on the WWE Network.
In an interview with The Kingston Whig-Standard ahead of Summerslam, Bryan discusses how he reacted after he retired from the squared circle.
“I had to go out to Florida (to shoot Total Divas) and we’re in John Cena’s house for four weeks or whatever and there’s cameras just on you all the time. I just had this horrible mental breakdown.”
After the television shooting of the show, Bryan knew he needed to get away from the bright lights and just be where he feels the most comfortable.
“I needed to get away from all of that and just get out to be by some trees. It’s hard for me. I don’t do really well in cities, which is crazy given that we’re flying in and out of these major cities every week. Brie describes it as anxiety. And she would be accurate. I get this anxiety in cities and places like that. When you grow up in kind of a small town and when you grow up around a lot of green and trees and nature and that sort of thing, sometimes I think it’s a little mentally disconcerting to be around this concrete.”
It has been a little bit over six months since leader of the "Yes! Movement" had to retire from what he loves to do. Even after time to reflect, the native of Aberdeen, Washington still hasn't been able to come to grips of being retired.
“It’s interesting because I guess the real answer is no, but it’s weird. I don’t necessarily agree that there’s something wrong with me, right. The whole issue with concussions is so subjective.”
WWE Summerslam takes place Sunday from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The pre-show begins at 5 p.m. ET and the event begins at 7 p.m. ET, all on the WWE Network.
